FCC repeals national TV ownership cap

The Federal Communications Commission voted on August 6, 2026, to repeal a decades-old rule that limited the national reach of broadcast television station owners, a move that could accelerate industry consolidation. The 2-1 vote by the Republican-led commission eliminates a cap that barred any single entity from owning stations that collectively reached more than 39% of U.S. television households, replacing it with a case-by-case review process for future mergers.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who voted in favor alongside fellow Republican Commissioner Olivia Trusty, framed the decision as essential for the survival of local broadcasters. He argued that outdated regulations have hamstrung local television stations while they compete with unregulated tech and streaming giants like Google, Amazon, and Netflix. Carr warned that without regulatory relief, local broadcast TV could suffer the same fate as the declining local newspaper industry. He stated the new approach would allow broadcasters to attract capital and advertising revenue needed to sustain local news and community-focused programming.

The commission's sole Democrat, Commissioner Anna Gomez, dissented, calling the move...